A/N: For the ' Pucker' theme on Dokuga's LJ comm - 300 words, no more no less. The next part of the serial "The Nightingale".

All due recognition to Hans Christian Anderson for the inspiration.

Originally posted on December 14, 2009. It won third place! :)


Invasion

Dinner was done, and the fire was dying down to embers as the imp began to snore. Kagome had fallen silent, drowsy with the heat of the coals and the oppressive, summer air. Only Sesshoumaru stood at the edge of camp, looking out into the forest that surrounded them. "We must find something to shield us from the rain tomorrow," he murmured suddenly, startling her.

She sat up, drawing her blanket around her shoulders. "Rain bothers you, my lord?"

"No." He turned to look at her, his golden eyes flashing. "But it may harm your voice, and, soon enough, you will not be singing for me alone."

"Are we returning to court so soon?" Kagome asked.

Sesshoumaru drew a folded slip of paper from his sleeve, its wax seal broken.

"I can't read," she said immediately, blushing hotly.

He nodded once and sat beside her, his wrist resting on top of his knee. "It says that Naraku has been seen within my borders," he murmured. "He seems to be scouting for an attack. I must return to deal with it immediately." The paper in his hand puckered as he gripped it tightly. "I should leave you in a human village until it is over."

"Wouldn't I be safer with you?"

The surprise in his eyes was momentary - perhaps a trick of the firelight. "Perhaps," he intoned. "That depends on whether he seeks to destroy my kingdom or simply to break my will."

She studied his profile and the set of his shoulders. "And which one includes me, Sesshoumaru-sama?"

He scowled, standing up and tossing the message into the fire. "It does not matter," the taiyoukai growled. "I will not be broken so easily as the fool believes." He glanced back at her. "Prepare yourself. We leave tomorrow at first light. By air."